Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an
EDPA Partner.

RECORD YEAR: Alabama auto production accelerates to all-time high in 2016

Words by Dawn Azok

January 05, 2017

Alabama's auto production climbed to a new record high in 2016, as workers at the state's three auto assembly plants kept up a brisk pace of building SUVs, pickups and sedans for markets around the world.

The Alabama factories of Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz combined to produce at least 1,048,597 vehicles, according to year-end figures reported by the companies. The tally is approximate because some numbers are preliminary.

That total is a 1.4 percent increase from 2015, when the automakers
topped the 1 million mark for the first time and set the previous annual record.

The missions are part of $6.8 billion in contracts already awarded the companies in 2014, and the Boeing award is good news for Alabama. Huntsville Boeing employees are working on the company's crew capsule, and Decatur United Launch Alliance workers will build the Atlas V rocket it will ride to space.

Neither capsule will be ready to fly before 2018, according to the latest reports. That means NASA will have to buy four more seats on Russia's Soyuz rocket this year for astronauts scheduled to go to the station. Those seats cost more than $80 million each, and Boeing and SpaceX say they can beat that price.

Tuscaloosa has a long-standing affection for softball, one that goes back at least half a century when men's leagues drew hundreds of fans.

Decades later, softball is still a major draw and a major boost to the city.

According to Jay Kasten, Director of Sports at Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports, hosting the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series in August at the University of Alabama's Rhoads Stadium led to also hosting, simultaneously, the Select 30 All-American Camp at Bowers Park. That event drew about 600 elite-level softball players from 38 states.